Jets trying to find way to beat 'perfect' Colts

Published 6:10 pm, Saturday, December 26, 2009

The Jets coach is enamored of Indy's offensive precision, Peyton Manning's ability to avoid sacks and the defense's ability to close out wins. His conclusion: To beat the NFL's last perfect team, it will take, well, the perfect game.

"Obviously, you can't afford any mental mistakes against this offense, or they're going to kill you," Ryan said. "We have to be, without question, at the top of our game, and we'll see if that's good enough."

Ryan realizes Indianapolis didn't win an NFL record 23 straight regular-season games or become the third team in league history to go 14-0 by accident.

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But he, like everyone else, wonders just who will be on the field when the Jets (7-7) try to keep their fading playoff hopes alive?

Indy coach Jim Caldwell has been noncommittal about if, or how long, his starters will play Sunday. Caldwell said that will be determined in large part by injuries, reiterating what he said last week. The starters played the entire game in Jacksonville.

Sunday could be different despite the possibilities.

With another win, the Colts would be on the cusp of matching the perfect Patriots of 2007. It also would allow the Colts to finish 8-0 at home record only the second time since the franchise moved to Indy in 1984. The last time was 2006, the year Indy won the Super Bowl.

Players have other milestones at stake.

Peyton Manning, the three-time MVP, is in position to win a record fourth award and needs 159 yards to join Brett Favre, Dan Marino and John Elway as the only members of the NFL's 50,000 yards passing club. He also needs one more 300-yard game to tie the league's NFL single-season record; Manning has nine, one short of Rich Gannon's mark, set in 2002. Drew Brees tied the record last season.

Manning should start, as he has done in all 190 regular-season games since joining the Colts, but could exit after a series or two -- or after he and his teammates attain individual goals, as has happened in the past.

Reggie Wayne needs eight catches for his second 100-catch season, Dallas Clark needs 3 yards for his first 1,000-yard season and if Pierre Garcon catches three passes, the Colts would have five 50-catch receivers for the first time in franchise history.

Caldwell doesn't intend to let numbers impact his decisions.

"We won't change our approach," said Caldwell, who still has not lost a game. "Every week we try to approach it the same way. This one (game) is no different. Winning is extremely important."

So far, Indy has been up to every challenge even as those challenges have gotten increasingly tougher.

The Colts have faced seven straight foes who are fighting for one of the AFC's coveted playoff spots: Houston, New England, Baltimore, Houston again, Tennessee, Denver and Jacksonville. The Jets will be No. 8, and though the Colts are clearly in prep mode for the postseason, some contend the Colts should play it straight this week for the integrity of the game.

"I think we've earned the right to do what we want," left tackle Charlie Johnson said. "My opinion is that you shouldn't put yourself in jeopardy to help a team that needs the Jets to lose. We've done our work, and it's not our fault some team lost a game, say, in Week 7 that they shouldn't have. But that's just my opinion."

The Jets do have a formula that can beat Indy.

They lead the NFL in rushing. They also are ranked No. 1 in points allowed and total defense and have arguably the NFL's top cornerback Darrelle Revis, factors that could have a more significant impact if, or when, Manning turns things over to rookie quarterback Curtis Painter.

But Ryan also knows what the Colts can do. A year ago, when he was Baltimore's defensive coordinator, Manning carved up the defense for a 31-3 victory.

So if Ryan gets a chance to face undefeated Indy as less than full throttle, he'll take it.

"Clearly, we have to be ready to play four quarters against Peyton Manning and Co.," Ryan said. "This is one heck of a football team. Manning doesn't get sacked. I don't care how many blitzes you throw at him, he's not getting sacked. I have such a respect for those guys and what they do, the way they play and the efficiency of their offense. It's really amazing. It really is."